New York taxi fares to rise

The average cost of a taxi ride in New York is to rise by nearly a fifth.

A 17 per cent increase in fares, effective from September, was approved by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission this week.

The rise will see the cost of an average journey in a yellow cab rise from around $13 (£8.40) to $15 (£9.65). It is the first increase in fares since 2006.

The commission sought to defend the move, explaining that New York’s taxis would remain cheaper than those in San Francisco, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.

“It is time for a raise, and I think the public understands that,” said a spokesman. “The public is prepared to pay more for taxi drivers to make a living.”

The cost of a hiring a taxi from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manhattan will now rise from around $45 (£30) to $52 (£33.50), not including tolls, while a journey from Newark Liberty will jump from $15 (£9.65) to $17.50 (£11.30).

The move comes ahead of the launch of Citi Bike, a cycle-hire scheme in the US city similar to those offered in London and Paris.

Bike stations will be opened in 600 locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, with hire of a single bike costing $9.95 (£6.40) per day, or $4 (£2.60) an hour. See citibikenyc.com for more information.